BOX SCORE
PORTLAND, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran Lutes
(9-3, 3-0 NWC) extended their consecutive conference win streak to
32 matches on Friday night in the Pamplin Sports Complex, defeating
the Lewis & Clark Pioneers 3-0 in a Northwest Conference
game.
The Lutes were led by 14 kills from Beth Hanna and 11 from
Kelsie Moore. Sarah Beaver contributed 24 assists in the assualt,
while Blair Bjorkman came up with 26 digs.
Senior Kat Fiedler and sophomore Jenn Dowdy each finished with
10 kills for the Pioneers (6-7, 2-1 NWC). Sophomore Leia Matsunaga
ended her night with 19 assists and 11 digs.
The Lutes opened the first set with an error, falling behind
early, but quickly bounced back to take the lead for the remainder
of the set. The Pioneers trailed 16-10 at one point, but were able
to bounce back to cut the Lute lead to one on a huge kill by Dowdy.
The Dowdy kill brought the score to 19-18 in the Lutes favor, but
the Pioneers would not be able to get any closer as PLU cruised to
a 25-22 victory.
In the second set, the Pioneers came out with authority, picking
up two quick points with the first coming on a rocket slam from
freshman Erika James. Bethany Huston would give the Lutes the lead
with a hand from Beaver, making the score 3-2. Pacific Lutheran
would not trail the rest of the set, earning their largest lead at
16-6 on a Kelsie Moore kill. With set point on the line, Dowdy
would pull the Pioneers within six, 24-18, but it would not be
enough as Lutes took the win on the next play.
The third set was hard fought with both sides matching each
other point for point most of the contest. Lewis & Clark was
able to take a four point, 10-6, lead at one point courtesy of an
Ohki ace. The Pioneers would hold control of the scoreboard until a
bad set tied the set 12-12, opening the door for the Lutes. PLU
then captured the lead for a short moment, before the Pioneers
extended their lead to four once again, 20-16. The Lutes clawed
their way back into it the game on the next play, going on a 9-1
run to come from behind to take the set 25-21.
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
when they travel to McMinnville, Ore. to face the Linfield
Wildcats.
